Coupling for wheels and axles.



No. 745,852. I 'PATENTED DBO. 1, 1903.

F. G. HUGHES. COUPLING FOR WHEELS AND AXLBS.

APPLICATION FILED D20. 22, 1902.

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COUPLING FOR/WHEELS AND AXLES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22. 1902.' y no .IODBL. 2 snnzTs-nm 2.

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lJNiTED STATES Patented December 1, 1903.

ATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK G. HUGHES, OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BETHLEHEMSTEEL COMPANY, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVA- NIA, A CORPORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

COUPUNG FOR WHEELS AND AXLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 745,852, dated December1, 1903.

Application filed December 22, 1902. Serial No. 186,302. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, FREDERICK G. llUeHEs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Bethlehem,in the county of Northampton and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCouplings for \Vheels and Axles, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to means for coupling a wheel to an axle; and itconsists in providing the hub and axle with adjacent annular flangesinclosed by a coupling or clamp and in certain details of constructionfully set forth hereinafterand illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one end of an axle andthe hub of awheel embodying my improvements. Fig. 1 is a detail. Fig. 2is a face view of the sectional coupling or clamp; Fig. a view showingthe sections detached; Fig. at, an edge view of the sections in sectionthrough the ears.

The axle D, preferably of metal, terminates in a journal T, at the rearend of which the axle is thickened and provided with an annular flange2, corresponding to a similar flange 3 at the inner end of the hub A ofthe wheel or pulley Y, which may be of any desired character. As shown,the flange 8 is part of a hardened metal ring threaded and screwed ontothe hub and secured by screws 4. On the axle at the rear of the flange 2is a deeper flange 5.

To hold the hub to the axle, yet permit the hub to turn freely, I clampthe two together by a clamp P, having an internal groove receiving thetwo flanges 2 3. This clamp may be constructed in different ways, but,as shown, is in two semi-annular sections 7 8, the section 7 having atthe lower end a perforated ear 9, which extends between ears 10 12 atthe lower end of the section 8, while at the upper ends of the sectionsare overlapping perforated ears 1-3 1%. The two sections are connectedby pins E G, passing through the perforations of the ears, andpreferably one of the pins is secured to the axle, so that the sectionscan be separated to permit the detachment of the hub without detachingthe coupling from the axle. As shown, the lower pin E is screwed intothe flange 5 of the axle and has a cross-socket 16 for a linchpin, onremoving which the clamp may be slipped longitudinally from the pin. Theupper pin G may be secured detachably in place in any suitable manner,and preferably is connected to an car 17 by a chain to prevent loss.

The axle may have a projection 18 on the flange 5 of such length as topresent shoulders 19 20, so situated as to limit the outward swing ofthe clamp-sections just sufficient to permit the ready detachment of thehub.

The inner faces of the sections 7 8 have grooves to receive feltdust-rings or packings 21, which bear on cylindrical parts of the axleand hub and exclude dust.

Among the advantages obtained by the use of this coupling are: First.The extreme rapidity with which the wheel can be removed from the axleand replaced. Second. Notwithstanding the ease of detachment of thewheel obtained by use of this coupling there is an absolutely securefastening between the hub and the axle. Third. There is secured adust-proof joint between the hub and the axle, always an advantage whereWearing parts come in contact. Fourth. This coupling is adaptable to anykind of wheel, whether roll, ball, or plain bearing, providing simplythat a flange-collar be provided at the inside end of hub and a similarflange on the axle.

lVithout limiting myself to the precise construction shown, I claim- 1.The combination of an axle having a flange, a wheel having a like flangeformed on a ring detachably secured to the hub,and a sectional clamphaving an annular groove receiving both flanges and holding them incontact while permitting the rotation ofthe wheel, substantially asdescribed.

2. The combination of an axle and a wheel having an annular flange onthe hub adjacent to a like flange on the axle, and a sectional clamphaving an annular groove receiving both said flanges and holding them incontact while permitting the rotation of the hub, the

flange of the hub on an annular hardened axle, and shoulders on the axlelimiting the ring secured to the hub, substantially as set outward swingof the clamp-sections, subforth. stantially as set forth.

3. The combination of an axle and awheel In testimony whereof I havesigned my having an annular flange on the hub adjacent name to thisspecification in the presence of IS to a like flange on the axle, asectional clamp two subscribing witnesses. having an annular groovereceivingboth said FREDERICK G. HUGHES. flanges and holding them incontact while Vitnesses:

permitting the rotation of the hub, said clamp JOHN RosEwARNn, Jr., 10in sections pivoted by a pin parallel with the l PAUL E. KUssLY.

